New season, same referee and VAR controversy

The opening weekend of a thrilling new Premier League season is complete, yet already we are left discussing a series of contentious referee and VAR decisions that dominate the talking points from gameweek 1 of the 2025/26 season.

From handballs to disallowed goals and penalty disputes, the opening weekend highlighted the ongoing challenges of officiating in the Premier League and how the VAR at Stockley Park is used. Below, we analyse four key incidents that fueled debate across the Liverpool vs. Bournemouth, Crystal Palace vs. Chelsea, Manchester United vs. Arsenal, and Everton vs. Leeds United fixtures.

1. Liverpool vs. Bournemouth: Handball Controversy Overlooked

In the opening game of the new season between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield, a handball incident involving Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi went unpunished.

VAR says no, but @Carra23 was convinced that was handball 🧐 pic.twitter.com/kS8hOEwn7s

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 15, 2025

The incident occurred in the 13th minute, when Senesi mis-controlled the ball as the last man in defence and then attempted to slap the ball away from the pressing Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike, who would've had a free run at goal, albeit from the halfway line.

Premier League Match Centre statement: The referee’s call of no red card to Senesi was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the action deemed not to be a clear handball offence nor denial of a goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO), due to the distance from goal.

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher shared the following view on the Sky Sports Ref Watch: "The VAR cleared it too quickly. If it goes to the screen he would have been sent off. It was a mistake and fortunately it didn't affect the outcome of the game."

"That's a poor decision."

Was Hugo Ekitike denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity by Bournemouth's Marcos Senesi? ❌ pic.twitter.com/oFk8xHiGm6

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 18, 2025

2. Crystal Palace vs. Chelsea: VAR Overturns Free-Kick Goal

At Stamford Bridge, Crystal Palace thought they had taken the lead against Chelsea through a well-executed free-kick by Eberechi Eze.

However, VAR intervened, overturning the decision due to an infringement. The in-stadium announcement, a new feature in the Premier League, clarified that Palace’s Marc Guehi was less than one meter away from the defensive wall when the shot was taken, resulting in an indirect free-kick for Chelsea instead.

Referee Darren England and VAR James Bell faced scrutiny, with Palace fans arguing the call was overly pedantic, with not a single Chelsea player appealing for the goal to be disallowed.

Eberechi Eze thought he had given #CPFC the lead — but his free-kick was chalked off following a VAR check.

The reason VAR disallowed the goal: Marc Guehi was within a metre of the Chelsea wall as the free-kick was taken.#CHECRY

🎥 @SkySportsPLpic.twitter.com/hfidpKhzEw

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) August 17, 2025

Eze's disallowed free kick is the first time a goal has ever been ruled out for that reason in the Premier League, despite it being introduced in 2019.

Upon further review of the many direct free-kicks scored last season, most teams for the goal scored, had a player within 1m of the opposition's defensive wall.

Last season, Reece James scored a late free-kick for Chelsea with Marc Cucurella literally touching the end of the wall - let alone being 1m/yard away.

Same stadium, same end, pretty much same spot as Eze. Different outcome. #CFC #CPFC pic.twitter.com/OpdxOfyq5o

— Sam Blitz (@SamBIitz) August 17, 2025

3. Manchester United vs. Arsenal: Penalty Appeal Denied

The high-profile encounter at Old Trafford saw Arsenal edge out Manchester United 1-0, but a controversial moment arose when United appealed for a penalty.

A challenge in the box was waved away by referee Simon Hooper, with VAR Paul Tierney upholding the on-field decision. Manchester United fans were left furious as they believed the contact deserved closer scrutiny.

While specific details of the incident remain debated, the lack of intervention highlighted the Premier League’s “Referee’s Call” principle, which prioritizes the on-field decision unless a clear error is evident.

Jay Bothroyd calling out Dermot Gallagher on Sky Sports ‘Ref Watch’. The ex referee said Saliba’s tackle on Cunha from behind was not a penalty.

Bothroyd: "Is it a free-kick on the halfway line?"

Gallagher when pressed: "I don't play that game."pic.twitter.com/BKysiG4G34

— Kyama ⚽ (@ElijahKyama_) August 18, 2025

4. Everton vs. Leeds United: Tarkowski’s Handball Hands Leeds a Penalty

In the first Monday Night Football of the season, Everton faced Leeds United, where a handball decision against Everton’s James Tarkowski proved to be the decisive decision of the game.

Referee Chris Kavanagh, after a VAR review by John Brooks, awarded Leeds a penalty when Tarkowski’s arm made contact with the ball in a supposed 'unnatural position'.

The penalty call, converted by Leeds, handed them all three points. The incident underscored ongoing tensions around handball interpretations, with critics questioning whether such calls disproportionately penalize defenders.

I’m sorry but Tarkowski can not move his arm out the way anymore than he has done…

Completely defeats the object of “Natural position” that they all bang on about… pic.twitter.com/Kr0xHm8mji

— The 44 ⚽️ (@The_Forty_Four) August 18, 2025

Everton manager was furious with the decision in his full-time interview, quoting: "I can't see how the people in VAR can see where James [Tarkowski] can put his arm... I didn't see how that was a penalty. Tarky would have had to get his arm chopped off!"

Analysis:

New season, same results. These incidents just reflect the Premier League’s ongoing struggle to balance technology with the game’s flow and constant rule-changing.

The Liverpool and Everton handball decisions highlight inconsistencies in applying the handball rule, while the Manchester United penalty appeal and Palace’s disallowed goal raise questions about VAR’s threshold for intervention.

Matchweek 1 of the 2025/26 Premier League season set the tone for another campaign where refereeing and VAR decisions will be under intense scrutiny. While officials like Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver maintain high accuracy rates (around 95% per KMI reports), controversial calls continue to shape narratives. As the season progresses, the Premier League and PGMOL will face pressure to refine VAR protocols to ensure consistency and fairness, keeping fans, players, and managers engaged in the debate over football’s most polarizing technology.